What is the KC-130 Hercules plane that crashed in Mississippi?

— On Monday, a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules crashed in Mississippi, killing at least 16 aboard the aircraft. Whatever happened to the plane – there had been reports of a "structural failure" at 20,000 feet – happened quickly. One report claims there was a mid-air explosion before the crash. The plane crashed around 4 p.m. CT near Greenwood, Mississippi, along Highway 82. It is not yet clear which version of the C-130 crashed Monday. The older version of the mid-air refueling plane, is the KC-130T. The newer version is the KC-130J.

Here are some specifics about the KC-130 Hercules.

Who builds it? Lockheed Martin manufactures the plane.Which branch uses it? The U.S. Marine Corp uses that version of the C-130.How big is it? The KC-130 has a 42,000-pound payload.How far can it fly? How fast? The KC-130 has a range of 2,835 nautical miles and a speed of 362 knots – 415.5 miles per hour. The plane is powered by 4 Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprop engines.What is the crew size? The plane has a minimum crew of at least four – two pilots, one crew chief and one loadmaster.What is it used for? The KC-130 Hercules is a tanker aircraft. The “J” designation means the plane is primarily an aerial refueling aircraft. The Hercules can offload 57,500 pounds of fuel while airborne using wing and external tanks. The plane carries a removable aluminum tank that holds up to 3,600 gallons of fuel. The tank is carried in the cargo compartment. The plane can also be used to refuel vehicles on the ground.How fast can it transfer fuel? The plane can transfer 300 gallons of fuel per minute to two aircraft at the same time.Any other uses? The plane can be transformed into an aerial gunship.

PBS suspends ‘Tavis Smiley’ show amid sexual misconduct investigation

Talk show host Tavis Smiley speaks during the ‘Tavis Smiley’ panel at the PBS portion of the 2011 Winter TCA press tour held at the Langham Hotel on January 9, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

— PBS has suspended the “Tavis Smiley” show following allegations of sexual misconduct between Smiley and former production staffers.

"Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley, produced by TS Media, an independent production company. PBS engaged an outside law firm to conduct an investigation immediately after learning of troubling allegations regarding Mr. Smiley. This investigation included interviews with witnesses as well as with Mr. Smiley. The inquiry uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS, and the totality of this information led to today’s decision."

WASHINGTON — Omarosa Manigaul Newman, the “Apprentice” star turned White House aide, was removed from the White House Tuesday night,“physically dragged and escorted off the campus,” according to several news reports.

Manigault-Newman announced her resignation on Wednesday, effective next month.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to fill Al Franken's Senate seat

MINNEAPOLIS — Updated 1:02 p.m. ET Dec. 13: Sen. Al Franken said Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith “will make an excellent United States Senator” after she was announced Wednesday as the Democratic congressman’s replacement.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton named Smith as Franken’s replacement after the senator announced his intention to resign. He has not set a date for his resignation. Dayton said Wednesday that Smith will serve a one-year term ending in January 2019.

Franken said Smith, who became lieutenant governor in 2015, will “be an effective senator who knows how to work across party lines to get things done for Minnesota.”

“I look forward to working with her on ensuring a speedy and seamless transition,” he said.

From 2003-2006, Smith, a New Mexico native who has lived in Minnesota since 1984, was vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. She also was chief of staff for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Dayton before becoming lieutenant governor in 2015.

Trump's Tuesday morning tweet, which accused Gillibrand of "begging" him for campaign contributions and said she "would do anything for them," was widely criticized as being sexually suggestive. His post came after Gillibrand called for his resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Lightweight Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a total flunky for Chuck Schumer and someone who would come to my office “begging” for campaign contributions not so long ago (and would do anything for them), is now in the ring fighting against Trump. Very disloyal to Bill & Crooked-USED!

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied claims that Trump's tweet was sexist and said those who read it as suggestive had their minds "in the gutter."

USA Today's editorial board disagreed.

"With his latest tweet, clearly implying that a United States senator would trade sexual favors for campaign cash, President Trump has shown he is not fit for office," the editorial board wrote. "Rock bottom is no impediment for a president who can always find room for a new low."

The editorial added that Trump "is not fit to clean the toilets in the Barack Obama Presidential Library or to shine the shoes of George W. Bush."

"This isn’t about the policy differences we have with all presidents or our disappointment in some of their decisions," the piece continued. "Obama and Bush both failed in many ways. They broke promises and told untruths, but the basic decency of each man was never in doubt."

The editorial described Trump as "uniquely awful" and blasted him for what it called "sickening behavior."

"The nation doesn’t seek nor expect perfect presidents, and some have certainly been deeply flawed," the piece concluded. "But a president who shows such disrespect for the truth, for ethics, for the basic duties of the job and for decency toward others fails at the very essence of what has always made America great."